en.Wedoany.com Reported - Ryder Architecture, in collaboration with U.S. sports consultancy CAA ICON, has unveiled a redevelopment plan for Jamaica's National Stadium in Kingston, expanding it to a 37,500-seat venue with a capacity of up to 50,000 for concerts and entertainment events.
Independence Park, built in 1966, primarily hosts football and athletics events and currently has a capacity of 35,000.
According to the plan developed for Jamaica's Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the new venue will cover 45,000 square meters and feature a nine-lane athletics track, two fan zones, premium hospitality lounges, and a fan boulevard. Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2027.
The design team includes Buro Happold, Turner & Townsend, and Oxford Economics, and has been working with the Jamaican government since 2024 to assess the future potential of Independence Park. The project is supported by UK Export Finance. Ryder stated that preliminary feasibility studies concluded that new dedicated facilities are "essential to realizing Jamaica's long-term ambitions."
Ryder Project Director and Lead Jonathan Seebacher said early planning considered retaining the stadium's west stand while enhancing hospitality and fan experiences. Seebacher noted that the new stadium features a striking roof design and is flexible enough to host world-class concerts and major international events. The broader master plan aims to create a vibrant urban destination where sports, culture, and community converge, attracting both locals and tourists.
He added that the redevelopment project is designed to support Jamaica's ambitions on the world stage, including a bid to host the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Jonathan Cook, Deputy High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Jamaica, said the stadium redevelopment is "an important step in strengthening Jamaica's sports and cultural infrastructure." He added that as the project enters Jamaica's established approval process, the UK is pleased to support the effort through trusted partnerships that bring international expertise, strong governance, and a focus on long-term sustainability.
